Malacañang Declares September 13 Special Non-Working Day in the Cordillera

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, has declared Saturday, September 13, 2025, a special (non-working) day in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). This is in observance of the 39th Sipat Anniversary.

Significance of the Sipat Anniversary

The proclamation recalls the historic event on September 13, 1986, when former President Corazon C. Aquino met with representatives of the Cordillera Bodong Administration and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army. This meeting marked the Sipat, or the cessation of hostilities, and acknowledged the aspirations of the Cordillerans for autonomy.

Reason for the Holiday

According to the proclamation, declaring September 13, 2025, as a special non-working day will give the people of CAR full opportunity to participate in commemorating this significant event in the region’s history.

DOLE Guidelines on Special Non-Working Days

In observance of this special day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued guidelines for special non-working days:

• No Work, No Pay: If the employee does not work, the employer is not required to pay, unless a company policy or a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provides otherwise.
• If the employee works: They shall receive an additional 30% of their daily rate for the first eight hours (Daily rate × 130%).
• For work beyond eight hours: They are entitled to an additional 30% of their hourly rate.
• If the special non-working day falls on the employee’s rest day and they work: They shall receive an additional 50% of their daily rate (Daily rate × 150%).